Bulldogs bully La Grande in GOL opener

BAKER CITY — La Grande tried to gain traction before the start of the Greater Oregon League schedule, and did with its first win of the season against Weiser, Idaho, last week. But Friday’s rivalry game against Baker City was not what the Tigers football team was hoping for.

During a 43-8 loss at Bulldog Stadium, La Grande’s offense struggled to move the ball on the ground or through the air. The Tigers put together just 158 yards of total offense.

Baker held the running game in check, 41 carries for 69 yards.

La Grande running back Jared Rodgers led the ground attack with 10 rushes for 23 yards.

Through the air, quarterback Brandon Dall had a tough time. The junior completed 11-of-20 pass attempts for 89 yards with a pair of interceptions.

On the other side, Baker moved the ball up and down the field, despite 17 penalties for a total of 135 yards.

Ben Baxter paced the offense with 20 carries for 194 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

The Bulldogs got things going through the air in the first quarter. Thomas Hamilton tossed two of his three touchdown pass in the opening quarter. The first was 4-yard pass to Lucas Huggins. Hamilton capped a two-play 60-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Cline Porter.

Baker put the game away with 22 points in the third quarter, and built a 43-0 lead before La Grande got on the board.

Dall found Drew Hivley on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 6:42 left in the game.

Baker’s Hamilton completed 18-of-26 for 230 yards.

The Bulldogs finished with 415 yards of total offense.

La Grande will try to bounce back against Ontario at 7 p.m. Friday atCommunity Stadium.